60 amp mppt Amazon deal, 50% off

[Brett V]

This popped up on my Amazon feed today 3/22/24.

Limited-time deal: 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller 12V 24V 36V 48V Auto Battery Regulator, Solar Panel Max 150V Input for Lithium, Sealed, Gel, and Flooded Batteries (Yellow) https://a.co/d/elcOd9P

 

[sunshine_eggo]

I have the identical more expensive blue version of that charger. I believe it has changed, BUT my version from 2019 is NOT three stage. It is only 2 stage, i.e., CC/CV, no float.

 

[Brett V]

Yeah, it’s probably the same but at that price, might be worth having on the shelf for a spare.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Yeah, it’s probably the same but at that price, might be worth having on the shelf for a spare.

That's exactly why I retained mine.

For NMC, it's perfect.

 

[AC/DC]

I have the identical more expensive blue version of that charger. I believe it has changed, BUT my version from 2019 is NOT three stage. It is only 2 stage, i.e., CC/CV, no float.

Right now it looks like the blue version is the same price. Anyone know if they changed it to include float? It is not explicitly mentioned anywhere.

 

[Nobodybusiness]

This popped up on my Amazon feed today 3/22/24.

Limited-time deal: 60A MPPT Solar Charge Controller 12V 24V 36V 48V Auto Battery Regulator, Solar Panel Max 150V Input for Lithium, Sealed, Gel, and Flooded Batteries (Yellow) https://a.co/d/elcOd9P

Not bad deal.

Are they worth anything?

Do they do what’s needed?

 

[Brett V]

Not bad deal.

Are they worth anything?

Do they do what’s needed?

I don't have one. Eggo commented above...

 

[Brett V]

It's back up to $195 as of today.

 

[Brucey]

It's back up to $195 as of today.

Blue one is 50% off and $85

 

[AC/DC]

In for one, I'm in the middle to moving to a 48V system but not there yet, and this will hopefully get me up and partially running on my existing 24V system until I gather all the stuff I need for the new system.

Edit: I found this video, guy seems reasonably happy with it. Also found reviews on other sites which sells this unit and it seems to be generally well received, at this price I think it's no brainer to at least have around as a backup, assuming it works:

 

[Brett V]

I wonder if there's any difference between the blue and yellow...besides the obvious.

 

[AC/DC]

I wonder if there's any difference between the blue and yellow...besides the obvious.

I don't think so, the only difference is that I literally just finished assembling my YELLOW DEWALT rack on which this will go last night..

 

[Brett V]

I got one of the blue ones as a backup in case the mppt in my Growatt ever craps out. It will hopefully stay in the box for a long time.

 

[Sparks-n-Splinters]

@sunshine_eggo - Being only 2 stage does it supply power to the DC load after the battery is full as a dump load? My brain sees it like a switch I suppose....

 

[AC/DC]

@sunshine_eggo - Being only 2 stage does it supply power to the DC load after the battery is full as a dump load? My brain sees it like a switch I suppose....

I'd like to know this too, and to learn how to tell this from reading specs of a CC. Are the stages you are referring to for charging? And how does that affect how it provides power to the load before/after bat is full — what are the possibilities here, a "dump load" and ..?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Mine is CC/CV.

Charge to set voltage. Hold voltage for as long as it can.

Nothing in the specs clued me in when I bought it. The manual wasn't available online.

A 3 stage charger should list at least bulk/boost/absorption (3 names for same thing) and float voltages.

 

[SpongeboB Sinewave]

Mine is CC/CV.

Charge to set voltage. Hold voltage for as long as it can.

Nothing in the specs clued me in when I bought it. The manual wasn't available online.

A 3 stage charger should list at least bulk/boost/absorption (3 names for same thing) and float voltages.

Well, that's not going to work too well for lead acid without a way to at least end Absorb automatically.

And maybe only some lithiums ?

boB

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Well, that's not going to work too well for lead acid without a way to at least end Absorb automatically.

And maybe only some lithiums ?

boB

Very correct. I manually changed it daily. I set it to 28.8V until it got down to about 10A and then set to to 27.2V for the AGM. When I went with NMC, it was perfect.

 

[AC/DC]

Mine is CC/CV.

Charge to set voltage. Hold voltage for as long as it can.

Nothing in the specs clued me in when I bought it. The manual wasn't available online.

A 3 stage charger should list at least bulk/boost/absorption (3 names for same thing) and float voltages.

Did you happen to use it on LFP too? I normally charge at 3.55vpc which will basicallyt do absorb if the unit can switch to CV, I guess it's just missing float. Will I be able to run loads (off the CC) once battery voltage prompts CV mode?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Did you happen to use it on LFP too?

No.

I normally charge at 3.55vpc which will basicallyt do absorb if the unit can switch to CV, I guess it's just missing float. Will I be able to run loads (off the CC) once battery voltage prompts CV mode?

I'd run it to 3.40V. CV has no end, so it will hold it at 3.55V or whatever your charged voltage is.

Keep in mind that mine is from 2019. I believe the newer ones are 3 stage.

 

[Brett V]

With LFP it’s preferable to get at or above 3.5 occasionally so your top balance doesn’t drift too much. Other than that, they’re happy at 3.35 all day.

 

[Sparks-n-Splinters]

Mine is CC/CV.

Charge to set voltage. Hold voltage for as long as it can.

Nothing in the specs clued me in when I bought it. The manual wasn't available online.

A 3 stage charger should list at least bulk/boost/absorption (3 names for same thing) and float voltages.

So when the charger can no longer hold the set charge rate does it dump power to the DC load?

 

[sunshine_eggo]

So when the charger can no longer hold the set charge rate does it dump power to the DC load?

Have no idea what you mean by that part. This is simply a solar charger. It works like any other, but it doesn't have 3 stages.

There is no set charge rate. There is a set charge voltage. It holds this voltage for as long as there is sufficient PV to power the loads.

If I tell you this behaves like a 3 stage charger with absorption and float set to the same value, does that help?

 

[Sparks-n-Splinters]

Have no idea what you mean by that part. This is simply a solar charger. It works like any other, but it doesn't have 3 stages.

There is no set charge rate. There is a set charge voltage. It holds this voltage for as long as there is sufficient PV to power the loads.

If I tell you this behaves like a 3 stage charger with absorption and float set to the same value, does that help?

I have a victron 100/20 that has DC load terminals and understand that it supplies minimal (1a if memory serves) of power to the load but has 3 stages of battery charging. For some reason (quite possibly illogically) my mind struck the thought that if this controller only has 2 stages and does not float the battery that it - for lack of a better term- dumped the power not used into the DC load. Thus making it a very useful (in my mind anyway) to top off a battery then power extra tasks like hot water, power an electrolysis tank, mine bit coin, etc.
A simplistic thought, but then I'm still not 100% fluent in solar yet but working on it. LOL

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Load terminals are simply an alternate connection to the battery with some control options and its own current limit.